LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil
Sunday 18th September 2022
WITNESSING OF THE LORD
Scripture Reading: John 9
Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” John 9:14–15
The neighbours of the formerly blind man were not fully satisfied with the reason he gave for his healing. They did not reject the miracle, but they looked to the Pharisees, the established theological leaders in the synagogue, for counsel.
The Pharisees questioned the man about the healing, but their chief worry was about a violation of the Sabbath. Because Jesus had done this on the Sabbath, they concluded that He was a sinner and consequently, He could not be acting in the power of God. This was based on an erred interpretation of what the Sabbath meant and how God expected it to be observed. Jesus deliberately did things on the Sabbath to correct the wrong mindset that had been accepted about work and rest.
Note the man’s answer to the religionists’ question. He said that “He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.” His position had not changed from his earlier discourse with his neighbours. At this point, the man only saw Jesus as a man – a good man who had made his life better.
He saw Jesus as the man who had helped him by healing him.
But note the critical point. The delivered man did not yet know Jesus personally. He had not reached the stage of belief, of true salvation and worship. Many times, people who encounter Jesus only see and experience His goodness; but do not go ahead to know Him as Lord and Saviour.
How do you know Jesus? Is He simply the one you go to when you need help? We must know Jesus better than that. We must know Him as our Saviour and Lord. That means trusting Him for our eternal salvation and submitting our lives to him.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to know and love you beyond the things you do for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.